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In Case We're Made into Coats: The Exotic Shapeshifter
What if you had to live in fear? What if one encounter with the wrong stranger could result in your body being made into a nice, fuzzy pair of transforming moccasins? And what if you had an incurable medical condition, that caused you unbearable pain every time you tried to change forms? My name is Chase, I'm a 16-year-old shapeshifter, and that would be my life. Well minus the inconsistent homes, abusive adults, and friends that share (some) of my same circumstances. This is the story of how we ran away, how I ended up where I am, and everyone who's to blame.
497 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2020
47 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Charleigh
3 books5 followersTessa Charleigh was raised in her mother's exotic veterinary clinic, gaining her unique life experiences and knowledge that she likes to integrate into her novels. Her series, In Case We're Made into Coats, was inspired by the desire to humanize Shapeshifters as a species, as well as to explore their position on matters such as health and habitual life.
Tessa currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. She comes from a family line of doctors in varying medical fields and broke that line to become a writer. For business inquiries: Incaseweremadeintocoats@gmail.com
Tessa currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. She comes from a family line of doctors in varying medical fields and broke that line to become a writer. For business inquiries: Incaseweremadeintocoats@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 23, 2024
Well, I can safely add this to the "Books That Seriously Need More Attention" list.
(What if you had to live in fear? What if one encounter with the wrong stranger could result in your body being made into a nice, fuzzy pair of transforming moccasins? And what if you had an incurable medical condition, that caused you unbearable pain every time you tried to change forms? My name is Chase, I'm a 16-year-old shapeshifter, and that would be my life. Well minus the inconsistent homes, abusive adults, and friends that share (some) of my same circumstances. This is the story of how we ran away, how I ended up where I am, and everyone who's to blame.) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
The preface and chapter one did a phenomenal job. They give the reader just enough information to understand the basics, but still leave a lot of room for mystery. Why do the huntsmen go after shapeshifters? How did Chase end up in a situation where he had to live in a hotel by himself? They do what great first chapters should. Hook the reader and keep them reading.
The shapeshifting system in this was pretty cool. So the shapeshifters in this universe don't have a fixed set of forms and the size and diversity of their set is only limited by their confidence, training, and imagination. That being said, there is consistency in these sets in that all these forms are limited to non-extinct and/or Their clothes don't follow them into their alternate forms except when they're tight. There's also a medical condition that Chase has called Morph Bone that permanently screws up a shapeshifter's body in ways that makes basic things like walking very painful and difficult, which is caused by a morph attempt gone wrong, and the only relief people like Chase can get is with bandages. I love how the form system is used as a subtle way of conveying who a character is as a person and how it's fluid like the very nature of shapeshifting itself. I love how the medical condition is not only very unique and clever, but also shows the potential dangers of shapeshifting in a believable way, raising the tension. These are all really nice touches that really show just how much thought and effort was put into this whole system.
I loved the narration styles. So this novel alternates between the perspective of Chase and the perspective of Angela. Chase is cynical, fiercely independent, and is reluctant to trust others. Angela likes her independence, but she is much kinder and is willing to work with others. Along with the actions they take in the story itself, their personalities really come through in how they tell the story. For example, Chase is more reluctant to describe things and talk about his past and isn't afraid to get graphic while Angela indulges in description and tends to censor some of the more graphic stuff to keep things "family friendly".
Speaking of Chase, his character arc was quite interesting. Given how Chase is characterized, it wouldn't be a stretch to predict that his arc will focus on him learning to trust others and work together. While that is an aspect of his growth as a character, the main focus of his arc is Not only does it provide some insight into why he's reluctant to describe things, but it also makes him feel like more than just your typical "Loner who needs to learn the value of collaboration" type of character.
The overall tone of this world was executed really well. This is a world that is not at all kind to shapeshifters. It is a world that's very bleak and very dangerous. I love how this is all subtly conveyed through the actions of the characters and the way that the world is described. What's interesting is that, despite how cruel this world can be, there are still specks of good (such as the nice hotel Angela, Chase, and most of their found family stay in) to balance things out. I think it also subtly conveys character motivation as well. For example, Alex is Angela's overprotective grandfather who doesn't let Angela out of the house without an escort. While this may seem over the top and unreasonable, the reader gradually starts to understand where he's coming from as the story progresses.
genuinely surprised me. Now, could've easily become some annoying reader-insert character, especially when he kept asking questions about how shapeshifters work and everything. But thankfully, he is given his own interests and problems and feels like a natural part of the found family and as a result, he ends up being an interesting and enjoyable character.
If I had one complaint, I would say that some of the choices regarding how Chase and Angela grow (or rather, don't grow) as characters were really bizarre. For example, every time Chase and/or Angela are involved in a battle, there's always someone or something saving their butts. Now the first two times, I can sort of understand (as none of them really have a lot of combat experience and they're fighting in areas close to people that they know), but after that, it just got ridiculous. Like, just from the sheer number of battles they got involved in, they should've been able to have a chance or two to refine their combat skills and learn to become better fighters. Heck, they don't even get any new forms by the end! Chase has four forms, Angela has three, and that number never increases. Why? I understand that this is part one of a series and the author may have wanted to leave some room for the characters to grow in later entries, but come on! Like, just have a scene where Chase and/or Angela have to solve a more mundane but still important problem that requires shapeshifting, have none of their forms do the trick, and force them to really experiment with their power until they get a form that not only helps them solve the problem, but also proves to be very versatile later on.
Overall, The Exotic Shapeshifter was a novel filled to the brim with wonderful characters and a ton of creativity and subtlety and a novel that genuinely makes me look forward to reading the next entry.
Overall Grade: A
(What if you had to live in fear? What if one encounter with the wrong stranger could result in your body being made into a nice, fuzzy pair of transforming moccasins? And what if you had an incurable medical condition, that caused you unbearable pain every time you tried to change forms? My name is Chase, I'm a 16-year-old shapeshifter, and that would be my life. Well minus the inconsistent homes, abusive adults, and friends that share (some) of my same circumstances. This is the story of how we ran away, how I ended up where I am, and everyone who's to blame.) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
The preface and chapter one did a phenomenal job. They give the reader just enough information to understand the basics, but still leave a lot of room for mystery. Why do the huntsmen go after shapeshifters? How did Chase end up in a situation where he had to live in a hotel by himself? They do what great first chapters should. Hook the reader and keep them reading.
The shapeshifting system in this was pretty cool. So the shapeshifters in this universe don't have a fixed set of forms and the size and diversity of their set is only limited by their confidence, training, and imagination. That being said, there is consistency in these sets in that all these forms are limited to non-extinct and/or Their clothes don't follow them into their alternate forms except when they're tight. There's also a medical condition that Chase has called Morph Bone that permanently screws up a shapeshifter's body in ways that makes basic things like walking very painful and difficult, which is caused by a morph attempt gone wrong, and the only relief people like Chase can get is with bandages. I love how the form system is used as a subtle way of conveying who a character is as a person and how it's fluid like the very nature of shapeshifting itself. I love how the medical condition is not only very unique and clever, but also shows the potential dangers of shapeshifting in a believable way, raising the tension. These are all really nice touches that really show just how much thought and effort was put into this whole system.
I loved the narration styles. So this novel alternates between the perspective of Chase and the perspective of Angela. Chase is cynical, fiercely independent, and is reluctant to trust others. Angela likes her independence, but she is much kinder and is willing to work with others. Along with the actions they take in the story itself, their personalities really come through in how they tell the story. For example, Chase is more reluctant to describe things and talk about his past and isn't afraid to get graphic while Angela indulges in description and tends to censor some of the more graphic stuff to keep things "family friendly".
Speaking of Chase, his character arc was quite interesting. Given how Chase is characterized, it wouldn't be a stretch to predict that his arc will focus on him learning to trust others and work together. While that is an aspect of his growth as a character, the main focus of his arc is Not only does it provide some insight into why he's reluctant to describe things, but it also makes him feel like more than just your typical "Loner who needs to learn the value of collaboration" type of character.
The overall tone of this world was executed really well. This is a world that is not at all kind to shapeshifters. It is a world that's very bleak and very dangerous. I love how this is all subtly conveyed through the actions of the characters and the way that the world is described. What's interesting is that, despite how cruel this world can be, there are still specks of good (such as the nice hotel Angela, Chase, and most of their found family stay in) to balance things out. I think it also subtly conveys character motivation as well. For example, Alex is Angela's overprotective grandfather who doesn't let Angela out of the house without an escort. While this may seem over the top and unreasonable, the reader gradually starts to understand where he's coming from as the story progresses.
genuinely surprised me. Now, could've easily become some annoying reader-insert character, especially when he kept asking questions about how shapeshifters work and everything. But thankfully, he is given his own interests and problems and feels like a natural part of the found family and as a result, he ends up being an interesting and enjoyable character.
If I had one complaint, I would say that some of the choices regarding how Chase and Angela grow (or rather, don't grow) as characters were really bizarre. For example, every time Chase and/or Angela are involved in a battle, there's always someone or something saving their butts. Now the first two times, I can sort of understand (as none of them really have a lot of combat experience and they're fighting in areas close to people that they know), but after that, it just got ridiculous. Like, just from the sheer number of battles they got involved in, they should've been able to have a chance or two to refine their combat skills and learn to become better fighters. Heck, they don't even get any new forms by the end! Chase has four forms, Angela has three, and that number never increases. Why? I understand that this is part one of a series and the author may have wanted to leave some room for the characters to grow in later entries, but come on! Like, just have a scene where Chase and/or Angela have to solve a more mundane but still important problem that requires shapeshifting, have none of their forms do the trick, and force them to really experiment with their power until they get a form that not only helps them solve the problem, but also proves to be very versatile later on.
Overall, The Exotic Shapeshifter was a novel filled to the brim with wonderful characters and a ton of creativity and subtlety and a novel that genuinely makes me look forward to reading the next entry.
Overall Grade: A
December 3, 2025
Nothing happens in this book except yelling and running and getting shot at and yelling and running and there literally is no resolution to the plot at any point
June 23, 2021
I can’t help liking this book. Vulnerable, grumpy boys are just my cup of tea. So it didn’t really matter that the story probably have no real plot, or that most of my questions weren’t answered by the end of the book, or even that I was heartbroken and a little dissatisfied with the ending, I still really like this. Chase Wagner is just the type of guy I love reading about. I felt so angry at the world he lived in, like that is so wrong why is no one doing anything about it! But at the same time if his world was not so harsh, there wouldn’t be a story to tell.
So many things happened but because I kept looking out for the real plot, the climax, it also feels like nothing happened because I didn’t find a climax. This is not the kind of book that makes your heart pound when you’ve reached the last hundred pages just waiting for something to happen, because nothing happened. Okay, not nothing exactly, just nothing significant probably.
The writing is not excellent by any means. But that kind of makes it feel like it’s truly a journal written by a sixteen year old instead of an edited novel, so that works with the narration. Overall, an enjoyable read. And if or when there is a sequel, I’ll be sure to pick it up at the earliest convenience.
So many things happened but because I kept looking out for the real plot, the climax, it also feels like nothing happened because I didn’t find a climax. This is not the kind of book that makes your heart pound when you’ve reached the last hundred pages just waiting for something to happen, because nothing happened. Okay, not nothing exactly, just nothing significant probably.
The writing is not excellent by any means. But that kind of makes it feel like it’s truly a journal written by a sixteen year old instead of an edited novel, so that works with the narration. Overall, an enjoyable read. And if or when there is a sequel, I’ll be sure to pick it up at the earliest convenience.
November 28, 2020
In case we're made into coats is a very effective debut novel by author Tessa. Swirling with deep Americana and a sense of magic and danger, this book takes you on a journey like no other.
This book presents a very apparent and magnificent truth, shapeshifters are out there and they are being hunted. By who? It could be that lady down on the street or the nice policeman eating his donut or that lonely grandpa feeding the pigeons. Danger lurks around every corner, even in remote villages and all shapeshifters have to hide for the lurking danger that are the huntsmen.
The main characters are very fleshed out, both from a conflict standpoint as well as their growing relationship. They have very big and apparent flaws and also have their appealing qualities, which makes for a dynamic relationship throughout the whole story that leaves you wondering about the next decision will take. Where as Chase is charming, wants to protect his ... friends? But also is very untrusting and bitter about life, Angela is very self-dependent, wants to fight for her worth and doesn't like it when people take something out of her hands that she wanted to do herself.
The style of the whole story was really incredible to me as well. It definitely felt like I was in some American place, far away from civilization sometimes on foot while being wild and unforgiving and presenting many challenges on the main characters! A true sense of Americana in my eyes, a wonderful musing to the rough landscape of America.
The writing in this story was also a growing arc, where the first bit of the story I had to get used to the writing style, nearer to the end the writing style was musing to my eyes and the story read away like my favourite candy.
The weakest points in my opinion were that some of the characters weren't as fleshed out as they could have been in my opinion. I can't mention which, some because of spoilers, but some felt like they were introduced and didn't have time to become their own character. This is however not a harsh criticism against this specific novel, as this is something more novels do that are planned to turn into series. I have the greatest confidence, however, that possible future sequels will improve upon this formula and even flesh out some of the characters that didn't appear too often.
Lastly, the ending was magnificent, leaving at such a cliffhanger with so many answer left unsolved makes for a very satisfying conclusion to the arc of trust and mystery surrounding the MC's that was growing while also leaving many holes open for a sequel to weave further onto and really show what shapeshifters can become.
This book presents a very apparent and magnificent truth, shapeshifters are out there and they are being hunted. By who? It could be that lady down on the street or the nice policeman eating his donut or that lonely grandpa feeding the pigeons. Danger lurks around every corner, even in remote villages and all shapeshifters have to hide for the lurking danger that are the huntsmen.
The main characters are very fleshed out, both from a conflict standpoint as well as their growing relationship. They have very big and apparent flaws and also have their appealing qualities, which makes for a dynamic relationship throughout the whole story that leaves you wondering about the next decision will take. Where as Chase is charming, wants to protect his ... friends? But also is very untrusting and bitter about life, Angela is very self-dependent, wants to fight for her worth and doesn't like it when people take something out of her hands that she wanted to do herself.
The style of the whole story was really incredible to me as well. It definitely felt like I was in some American place, far away from civilization sometimes on foot while being wild and unforgiving and presenting many challenges on the main characters! A true sense of Americana in my eyes, a wonderful musing to the rough landscape of America.
The writing in this story was also a growing arc, where the first bit of the story I had to get used to the writing style, nearer to the end the writing style was musing to my eyes and the story read away like my favourite candy.
The weakest points in my opinion were that some of the characters weren't as fleshed out as they could have been in my opinion. I can't mention which, some because of spoilers, but some felt like they were introduced and didn't have time to become their own character. This is however not a harsh criticism against this specific novel, as this is something more novels do that are planned to turn into series. I have the greatest confidence, however, that possible future sequels will improve upon this formula and even flesh out some of the characters that didn't appear too often.
Lastly, the ending was magnificent, leaving at such a cliffhanger with so many answer left unsolved makes for a very satisfying conclusion to the arc of trust and mystery surrounding the MC's that was growing while also leaving many holes open for a sequel to weave further onto and really show what shapeshifters can become.
June 9, 2022
Interesting read! Based on shapeshifting with detail, conversational musings and veterinary noir, Tessa’s debut book is an easy read. Hoping it will be a series, and I’m interested to see how this new young author evolves !
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews